California Fires Far From Over

(SAN DIEGO) - Tired Firefighters in Southern California are getting a break, but a great deal of uncertainty remains as seven wildfires continue to destroy trees and vegetation and property.

2,000 homes have burned as the seasonal Santa Ana winds fanned flames throughout several counties. A break from the offshore gusts this weekend helped firefighters who now learn that the hot mountain winds are likely to kick back up in speed in the coming days.

While most people have avoided personal harm, it is reported that seven undocumented immigrants died in the fires while trying to cross the U.S. border with Mexico on Thursday. Eleven other Mexican nationals are being treated at a San Diego hospital after receiving burns in one of the wildfires. The AP reports that four are in critical condition.

Federal and state officials are blaming one another for the problems related to bringing the fires under control more quickly. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says the state will work to resolve a number of issues.

Ruben Grijalva, who heads department of forestry and fire protection, told reporters that two dozen water-dropping helicopters never took to the air during the crisis. He attributed the problems to a lack of management and training, blaming the Marines and the federal Forest Service.

Harris Fire on Harris Ranch Road and Highway 94 in San Diego County. The Harris fire has burned 90,440 acres and is 75 percent contained. The fire started on October 21 and is burning at Harris Ranch Road and both sides of Highway 94 in Portrero in San Diego County. Full containment is expected October 31. There have been 21 civilian and 34 firefighter injuries, as well as five deaths on this fire. 206 homes and 252 outbuildings have been destroyed, and 253 additional structures are damaged. Damage assessments are still being conducted.

All evacuations have been lifted. Re-entry for residents only is being allowed. 2,473 firefighters are assigned under a unified command. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $11.9 million. Harris Fire's Information Line (619) 449-1462.

Witch Fire in the Witch Creek Area East of Ramona, in San Diego County. This fire has burned 197,990 acres and is 95 percent contained. Full containment is expected on October 30. The Witch Fire has joined the Poomacha fire in the north. Residents are being allowed re-entry into to area.

1,040 homes and 414 outbuildings have been destroyed. 70 homes and 25 outbuildings have been damaged. Additionally, 239 vehicles have been destroyed.

2,340 firefighters are assigned to this incident under unified command. There have been 39 injuries to firefighters, and two civilian fatalities. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $13 million. Witch Fire's Information Line is (619) 590-3160.

Poomacha Fire along Highway 76, in the Pauma Valley/Cleveland National Forest of San Diego County. The Poomacha fire started October 23rd as a structure fire on the Lajolla Indian Reservation. It has burned 49,540 acres and is 65 percent contained. FUll containment is expected Obtober 31. The Poomacha Fire has joined with the Witch Fire to the south. 136 homes and 19 outbuildings have been destroyed. 500 homes remain threatened.

Evacuations orders are still in place. Residential areas where the overall threat has lessened are being allowed re-enty. This fire has resulted in 20 firefighter injuries. 2,600 firefighters are currently assigned to this fire under unified command with CAL FIRE and the Cleveland National Forest. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $7.2 million. Poomacha Fire's Information Line is (760) 751-7600.

Slide Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest at Green Valley Lake near Running Springs in San Bernardino County. This fire has burned 12,789 acres at Green Valley Lake near Running Springs in San Bernardino County and is currently 90 percent contained. Full containment is expected October 30. 201 homes and 3 outbuildings have been destroyed.

Mandatory evacuations for most Arrowhead communites have been changed to voluntary. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect from Heaps Peak to Snow Valley. Voluntary evacuations continue for Crestline, Cedar Pines Park, Lake Gregory and Valley of Enchantment. Evacuation Centers are located at National Orange Show in San Bernardino and the Victorville Fairgrounds in Victorville. Hwy 330 remains closed. Hwy 18 is open to residents of Crestline, and Arrowhead areas. Hwy 18 is closed from the Junction of Kuffel Canyon Road in the Skyforest Area to Snow Valley Ski Area.

1,964 firefighters are currently assigned to this fire. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $12 million. The Slide Fire Information Line is (909) 383-5688.

Grass Valley Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County. This fire has burned 1,247 acres and is 95 percent contained. FUll containment is expected October 29. The fire is northwest of Lake Arrowhead. 174 structures and 2 outbuildings have been destroyed, and 200 homes remain threatened.

A closure order remains in effect for the San Bernardino National Forest. The mandatory evacuation order for the communities of Twin Peaks, Rim Forest, Blue Jay, Agua Fria, Deer Lodge Park, Sky Forest, Cedar Glen and the majority of Lake Arrowhead have been reduced to voluntary evacuation effective 12:00 p.m. on October 28, 2007. The area will be open to residents and re-entry passes will not be issued and are not required. Mandatory Evacuations for all areas from Heaps Peak to Snow Valley remain in effect. Voluntary Evacuations for Crestline, Lake Gregory, Cedar Pines Park, and Valley of Enchantment remain in effect. Evacuation Center have been established at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino and Victorville Fairgrounds in Victorville. Hwy 330 remains closed. Hwy 18 is open to residents of Crestline, and Arrowheads areas with proof of a street address. Access to Big Bear is available from Hwy 38 via the I-10 as well as via Hwy 18 through the Hi-Desert in Lucerne Valley.

452 firefighters are assigned to this incident. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $4.8 million. Grass Valley's Fire Information Line is (909) 383-5688.

Santiago Fire on Santiago Canyon Road at Silverado Canyon Road in Orange County. This fire has burned 28,400 acres and is 65 percent contained. Full containment is expected November 2. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the canyon areas of Santiago Canyon Road between Silverado Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road, including the Santiago Estates area and Jackson Ranch Road. Areas along Live Oak Canyon Road through the Trabuco Canyon area, including O'Neill Regional Park, to Trabuco Creek Road are also included in this evacuation. The following road closures are in place: Santiago Canyon road south of the 241 Toll Road to Live Oak Canyon Road, all of Live Oak Canyon Road, all of Trabuco Canyon Road, Plano Trabuco road north of Robinson Ranch Road (northbound only).

15 homes and nine outbuildings have been destroyed, and 8 residential structures and 12 outbuildings were damaged. 1,732 people are assigned to this incident and eight firefighter injuries have been reported. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $8.5 million.

The Santiago Fire has been determined to be arson-caused. Santiago Fire's Information Line is (714) 573-6200.

Ranch Fire in the Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County. This fire has burned 58,401 acres since October 20 and is 97 percent contained. The fire is burning six miles north of Castaic in Los Angeles County. All evacuations have been lifted. One home and nine outbuildings have been destroyed. 73 personnel are assigned to this incident. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $9 million. Full containment is expected on October 30th. Ranch Fire's Information Line is (626) 821-6700.

This is the list of fires that have been containted
Horno/Ammo Fire aboard Camp Pendleton in San Diego County
Rice Fire in Rice Canyon, San Diego County
Canyon Fire in Malibu Canyon, Los Angeles County
Cajon Fire along I-15/Kenwood in Devore, San Bernardino County
Rosa Fire near Temecula in Riverside County
Sedgewick Fire off Brinkerhoff Road on Figueroa Mountain in Santa Barbara County
Coronado Hills Fire, south of Cal State San Marcos in San Diego County
Roca Fire, east of Temecula in Riverside County
Walker Fire, Northwest of Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County
McCoy Fire in the Cleveland National Forest, San Diego County
Wilcox Fire aboard Camp Pendleton in San Diego County
Meadowridge Fire in Santa Clarita along the 14 Freeway in San Fernando, Los Angeles County
Buckweed Fire off Mint Canyon Road at Sierra Highway in Los Angeles County
Magic Fire off of Old Cross Road at Magic Mountain Parkway in Los Angeles County
Martin Fire along Martin Ranch Road at Meyers Road in San Bernardino County
Nightsky Fire located 2 miles south of Moorpark in Ventura County